Get a first look at Pennywise the clown in the reboot of Stephen King's It

The image, which has been unveiled by Entertainment Weekly, is the first from the new movie, which is to be directed by Mama's Andrés Muschietti, who replaced True Detective creator Cary Fukunaga last year.

Speaking about the part, Skarsgard said: "It’s important that we do something fresh and original for this one. It’s purposely not going toward that weird, greasy look. It truly enjoys the shape of the clown Pennywise, and enjoys the game and the hunt. What’s funny to this evil entity might not be funny to everyone else. But he thinks it’s funny."

He continued: "There’s a childishness to the character, because he’s so closely linked to the kids. The clown is the manifestation of children’s imaginations, so there’s something child-like about that."

King's 1986 novel was originally adapted into a two-part television film in 1990, starring Tim Curry in the iconic titular role. It centred around a group of children who must face off against a force that takes on its victims' greatest fears, horrifically personified by Pennywise the Clown. You can check that out here in hmv's online store.